Centro Cultural Dragão do Mar
The Cultural Centre Dragão do Mar (CDMAC) is the largest of its kind in the vast Northeast of the country, offering theatre, dance, music, exhibitions and shows films. It was inaugurated by the government of the State of Ceará in 1999 and is managed by a social non-profit organization the Arts and Culture Institute of Ceará (IACC). Its objective, besides granting more democratic access to culture, is to generate jobs for the local communities and stimulate tourism in Ceará. On its premises is the MAC (Museum of Contemporary Art of Ceará), MCC (Museum of Culture from Ceará), and the Rubens de Azevedo planetarium. Performances are held in the theatre, the amphitheatre and also the Green Square in the open air.
The CDMCA music projects seek to embrace Brazil’s cultural diversity, and that of Ceará, and includes folguedos (a regional game which joins music and dance), maracatus and accordion gatherings. There are shows with famous performers such as Hermeto Paschoal, Tom Zé and Luiz Melodia, but priority is given to musicians from Ceará, be it to open larger attractions or events to specifically launch them. Some of its projects are the Domingo Musical (Musical Sundays), with popular and classical music concerts such as Pra Ver a Banda (To See the Brass Bands), in which brass bands of the capital and the interior of the state celebrate the brass bandstands of the past; Por do Sol em Canto, (Sunset with Singing) with a focus on voices, and Planet Hip-Hop, which emphasises this genre and is more popular in São Paulo.
The IACC, responsible for the management of the CDMAC, also coordinates events for the government of the State of Ceará, such as the Ibiapaba Music Festival, in the town of Viçosa. Held since 2004 the festival presents an artistic/pedagogic programme and organizes vocal and instrumental workshops as well as performances with the great names of Brazilian popular music such as Miúcha and Johnny Alf. These actions often attract sponsorship for the good reason that companies like to associate their name with schools and NGOs that have created such a beneficial social approach.
Roberto Galvão Lima (director cultural actions).
